As part of ‘fg’ — Star Observer’s festival guide for the 2015 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras season — six very different members of the LGBTI community shared their reasons behind their passion for the community.

Her song Hideaway may have dominated charts around the world, but before her breakthrough success, Kiesza says the gay community was one of her biggest supporters. She spoke to the Star Observer ahead of her appearance at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras’ famous Harbour Party.

YouTube sensation, Cher’s preferred impersonator and Kylie Minogue’s “favourite drag queen” has hit Australia to perform this weekend in Brisbane and later in Melbourne and Sydney. We talked with Charlie Hides about what inspires him, why he wouldn’t parody Kylie and what Lana Del Ray said about him.